A salary only tells half the story. The other half is what it costs to live there. 💰 Rather than guess at salary figures, here is the market data that drives pay pressure in each state.
| Capital | Median house rent / week | Vacancy | State unemployment | Pay pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $835 | 1.2% | 4.7% | High, driven by cost of living |
| Melbourne | $600 | 1.4% | 5.1% | Moderate, more candidates available |
| Brisbane | $700 | 0.7% | 4.5% | Rising with infrastructure demand |
| Perth | $750 | 0.4% | 4.2% | High, competing with resources |
| Adelaide | $650 | 0.4% | 4.2% | Rising with defence work |
| Canberra | $700 | 1.5% | n/a | Mixed, contractor cuts vs APS growth |
| Hobart | $625 | 0.3% | 5.0% | Moderate |
| Darwin | $800 | 0.3% | n/a | High for defence and cleared roles |
What this means
- Candidates: compare offers after rent, not before
- Employers: tight rental markets in Perth, Adelaide and Hobart make relocation harder, so budget for it
Want a benchmark for a specific role? Our recruiters can share current market data. See the full state guides for WA, Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
👉 Ready for your next move? Browse open IT jobs or register your CV and a Zone IT recruiter will be in touch.
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